Primer blowout, bolt face damage. WHY!?

MetalMike

MetalMike

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Hey all, I was hoping to get some advice from you.

So I was at the range today testing out some 30-06 handloads (165 gr Speer Deepcurl, Winchester brass, WLR primer, and IMR 4350) in my Weatherby Vanguard. I was incrementally testing these loads for safety up from Speer's published minimum data. The min loads (52.0 grs) worked fine and showed no signs of pressure. When I fired the first round of the 53.0 grain batch, the report and recoil seemed normal and it clocked in exactly at 2700 fps on my chrony (which, considering the velocity of the min loads seemed appropriate to me, and is close to Speer's special Deepcurl data). After firing however, I noticed smoke coming out of the vents in my bolt and I knew immediately that there had been a rupture of some kind. I ejected the case and sure enough, the spent case had soot on a portion of the rear of the case and I could see a pin-sized hole in the edge of the primer (where the primer cup edge meets the primer pocket opening). I inspected the bolt face and noticed a shallow, but noticeable, shiny chip in the bolt-face.

I am now trying to diagnose why this happened and figure out my next course of action. I have put hundreds of handloads through this rifle without issue, mostly using the same components I used today. Pressure and velocity seemed to be within safe margins, at least to me, and I feel that I am rather OCD when it comes to inspecting brass and components before loading them. I do not suspect my rifle of having headspace issues. I keep very detailed notes, and cannot seem to find a cause for this incident.

My question to you is: Can you think anything that may have caused this that I have missed, either due to my own negligence or other causes? Is it possible this was caused by a faulty primer? What should I do about my bolt? I will be contacting Weatherby in regards to the issue as well, but any experiences and/or knowledge that you can share with me would be greatly appreciated. If I left out any important info, let me know. I will try to get some pictures uploaded if needed, it just might take a bit because my internet and phone really sucks :p

Thanks for your input!
 
WInchester primers!
I have had three primers go on me in me 300wsm with not very hot loads. Too bad because they are my best loads so far but I just quit using them.
Just cci and federal for me from now on.
The etching it left on the bolt face won't affect anything except maybe resale value. Just doesn't look nice.
 
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WLR primer failure, do a search for this and it will bring up all the other ones that have happened lately. Seems to only happen in the higher pressure cartridges, I used the rest of the brick of WLR's in the 30-30 without a single failure. Mine was also failing in 30-06 and 308win.
YMMV
 
I have had the same experience - damage to bolt face as well which REALLY p*ssed me off. There is a known issue with WLR which dates back some time - I'm sure now corrected but I will never use WLR again. FWIW - I am an OCD accuracy buff and have not noticed any issue with the cratered bolt face.
 
Me too! WLR screwed up the bolt face on my dad's .243 and figured I had messed something up. Then the same happened on my 30-06. Both were in the mid range for loads. I don't use win primers anymore.
 
I've had that happen with my 2506 and win primers. My loads are mildly warm 51 grs imr 4831 under a 117 gr interlock at 3100 fps
Didn't Leave much of a mark but I know it's there
 
This phenomenon is NOT unique to Winchester primers!! I have seen this happen over the years with Remington, Federal and CCI as well as the old CIL.

Just a bad batch of primer cups, with a weak section right at the radius of the primer cup. Record the lot number and give Winchester a call.[Or better yet, write them a note]

Regards, Dave
 
As Eagleye stated send Winchester an email explaining what happened, take close up photos of the case with the blown primer and a photo of the bolt face and attach to the email.

I had some defective Remington primers that eroded my bolt face, Remington sent me a new brick of primers and replace my damaged bolt.

If you do not get anywhere sending emails then send registered letters to the CEO of Winchester, the manger of customer relations and the manager of the service department.

After I did the above everything was taken care of and the manager of customer relations kept in touch to make sure I was satisfied.

The world is a much different place today than in the past, Winchester sold off its powder manufacturing plant to General Dynamics weapons division and also sold off its brass manufacturing plants.

Winchester now relies on other manufactures for its brass used in ammunition production and it seems quality control has suffered. After Remington and Winchester lost the very lucrative military contract to produce ammunition at the Army's Lake City Ammunition plant both companies fell on hard times.

Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) now has the contract to run Lake City and they are doing very well, meaning they own a very large segment of reloading supplies and ammunition manufacturing.

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Look for these leading brands: Bushnell, BLACKHAWK!, Eagle, Alliant Powder, RCBS, Champion Target, Final Approach, Gunslick Pro, Primos, Bollé, Outers, Hoppe’s, Uncle Mike’s, Butler Creek and Weaver Optics.

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The Sporting Group supplies small-caliber ammunition to sport-shooting enthusiasts, devoted hunters, federal and local law enforcement agencies, and the military. Our ammunition brands include Federal Premium, CCI, Fusion, Speer Ammo, Speer Bullets, Estate Cartridge and Blazer.

For details about our Law Enforcement accessories and ammunition products, please visit le.atk.com.

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Savage Arms is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of firearms with products in the long-gun category. Brands include Savage Arms, Stevens and Savage Range Systems that design, manufacture and market centerfire and rimfire rifles, shotguns and shooting range systems used for hunting as well as competitive and recreational target shooting."

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Thank you all for the replies, I appreciate it. I will take the advice and send an email to Winchester tomorrow, along with the lot number of the primers and some photos. I've had these ones kicking around for a couple years and just got around to using them. I will probably switch to CCI as soon as I can, and hopefully I can get my bolt fixed. I don't want to look at that ugly thing especially when I try hard to take care of my rifles.
 
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Send your email to beth@graywoodsporting.com along with some good pics of primer. Just went through this and sent them the remainder of the brick of primers, they will pay for shipping. They have refunded me the price of primers but not hearing back about my bolt. If enough people bring pressure on them maybe something will change.
 
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